It was no surprise that the Lakers got eliminated from the postseason in the first round, especially when Kobe Bryant went out with an injury. But getting swept out... that's just icing on the cake.
The Spurs beat the Lakers last night 103-82 and completed their 4 game sweep of the Lake Show. Tony Parker was one of five Spurs players to get into double digits in scoring netting 23 points. Dwight Howard of the Lakers only got 7 points as he was ejected early in the third quarter after receiving his 2nd technical for arguing with the officials.
Please, please, let that be how Dwight's career in LA ends.
Dwight and the Lakers season does end with a lot of questions left to answer, most notably, will Howard return to the team next year or go somewhere else. He will be a free agent this off season and can choose to go anywhere he wants to. If I was him, I'd go to Brooklyn or Dallas. You know, to a team that actually knows what they are doing. Hell, the Bobcats might a better choice right now.
Okay, that last one might be a bit of a reach, but almost any franchise would be better for Howard than the Lakers. Not having to clash with Kobe (who might not be up to par when returning from injury), or having to play with a coach that knows nothing about using big men or playing defense, or having to play for management that isn't big enough to hire the right coach for you. Staying in such a place would be madness, Dwight.
But alas, Dwight might stay in LA anyway out of guilt. He really needs to stop caring about what other people think. We hate that about him so much.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Day 2 of 2013 NFL Draft: Geno Smith to the Jets and Manti Te'o to the Chargers
The NFL Draft continued today with some big names being removed from the board.
Manti Te'o was finally drafted. The Notre Dame linebacker went 38th overall to the San Diego Chargers. A nice spot for Te'o as he now gets to face Peyton Manning twice a year. Good luck figuring him out.
As for quarterback Geno Smith, he was picked right after Manti Te'o as the 39th pick by the New York Jets. It looks like the Mark Sanchez era in New York might thankfully be over. Some sources are telling ESPN that the Jets are considering releasing Mark Sanchez. Please do it now.
The first running back taken was Giovani Bernard from UNC. He was taken 37th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. RB Eddie Lacy of Alabama would be taken 61st overall by the Green Bay Packers.
There were quite a few defensive backs taken with Tyrann Mathieu, CB from LSU that was dismissed from the team before the year began for violating the team rules, being the most notable name there. Mathieu was picked up in the 3rd round by the Arizona Cardinals as the 69th overall pick.
As for my San Francisco 49ers, they made three selections during the day. In the 2nd round, they selected DE Cornellius Carradine of Florida State and TE Vance McDonald of Rice. In the 3rd round they picked up another defensive end, Corey Lemonier of Auburn. I like the selections as they attempt to strengthen that defensive front along with trying to replace Delanie Walker at the tight end position.
Day three of the Draft is tomorrow starting around noon eastern.
Manti Te'o was finally drafted. The Notre Dame linebacker went 38th overall to the San Diego Chargers. A nice spot for Te'o as he now gets to face Peyton Manning twice a year. Good luck figuring him out.
As for quarterback Geno Smith, he was picked right after Manti Te'o as the 39th pick by the New York Jets. It looks like the Mark Sanchez era in New York might thankfully be over. Some sources are telling ESPN that the Jets are considering releasing Mark Sanchez. Please do it now.
The first running back taken was Giovani Bernard from UNC. He was taken 37th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals. RB Eddie Lacy of Alabama would be taken 61st overall by the Green Bay Packers.
There were quite a few defensive backs taken with Tyrann Mathieu, CB from LSU that was dismissed from the team before the year began for violating the team rules, being the most notable name there. Mathieu was picked up in the 3rd round by the Arizona Cardinals as the 69th overall pick.
As for my San Francisco 49ers, they made three selections during the day. In the 2nd round, they selected DE Cornellius Carradine of Florida State and TE Vance McDonald of Rice. In the 3rd round they picked up another defensive end, Corey Lemonier of Auburn. I like the selections as they attempt to strengthen that defensive front along with trying to replace Delanie Walker at the tight end position.
Day three of the Draft is tomorrow starting around noon eastern.
Russell Westbrook to Have Knee Surgery
The Oklahoma City Thunder's chances of getting an NBA title this year were already slim considering that they had traded James Harden away shortly before the season began. Now their chances have basically been reduced to none.
Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will have surgery on his right knee to repair cartilage. Westbrook will be out indefinitely as a result of the injury. He had injured his knee in game 2 of the Thunder's series against the Rockets.
A huge blow to the Thunder's chances as their star point guard is likely out for the remainder of the postseason though his teammates hope he can return. This clearly shifts power in the western conference, likely in the favor of the San Antonio Spurs. Though perhaps to a lesser affect, it also affects the NBA Finals and makes it easier for the Miami Heat to repeat as champions knowing that one of their potential Finals opponents has been weakened so much that they might not even get there.
Unless there is another team in the west that can challenge the Spurs, the Finals picture seems to coming in San Antonio vs. Miami.
P.S. Now my little interest in the NBA postseason is gone till the Finals.
Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook will have surgery on his right knee to repair cartilage. Westbrook will be out indefinitely as a result of the injury. He had injured his knee in game 2 of the Thunder's series against the Rockets.
A huge blow to the Thunder's chances as their star point guard is likely out for the remainder of the postseason though his teammates hope he can return. This clearly shifts power in the western conference, likely in the favor of the San Antonio Spurs. Though perhaps to a lesser affect, it also affects the NBA Finals and makes it easier for the Miami Heat to repeat as champions knowing that one of their potential Finals opponents has been weakened so much that they might not even get there.
Unless there is another team in the west that can challenge the Spurs, the Finals picture seems to coming in San Antonio vs. Miami.
P.S. Now my little interest in the NBA postseason is gone till the Finals.
1st Round of the 2013 NFL Draft: Eric Fisher #1 Overall Pick
Round 1 of the NFL Draft was last night with linemen being the big thing everyone is talking about.
The first pick in the Draft was tackle Eric Fisher of Central Michigan who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was one of 3 tackles chosen within the first 4 picks of the draft. The first 7 picks were all linemen, offensive or defensive. 17 linemen in all were picked in the first round.
Ball movers like QB's and wide receivers were not as well sought in this round. Not even a running back was taken, a first since 1963.
Only one quarterback was picked last night with EJ Manuel being the lucky QB out of Florida State. Manuel went 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills. Many were speculating that if the Bills were to pick a QB, that it would've been Ryan Nassib, quarterback from Syracuse who played for Doug Marrone, now head coach of the Bills. Other teams might look at Nassib a bit differently now seeing that his old coach wouldn't pick him.
Manuel being the one quarterback picked means Geno Smith is still on the board. Despite all the praise he got leading up the draft, Smith goes home unselected in the first round. Smith and plenty of other quarterbacks are still available, waiting for teams to possibly make a rush for them to start the 2nd round.
Also still on the board is LB Manti Te'o out of Notre Dame. The great people at ESPN thought that he would be a late first rounder and would even get picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. Instead, the teams pass him up and the Ravens select Matt Elam, a safety out of Florida, as the last pick in the first round.
The Minnesota Vikings were the busiest franchise last night managing three first round draft picks. First they got DT Sharrif Floyd out of Florida at 23 overall. Then two spots later, they traded for Seattle's pick to get Xavier Rhodes, a cornerback out of Florida State. To wrap up their day, they traded for New England's spot at 29 to get Cordarrelle Patterson, a wide receiver out of Tennessee.
As for my San Francisco 49ers, they traded with Dallas to get up to the 18th pick to select Eric Reid, a safety from LSU. Not knowing a thing about him, I liked that the 49ers are picking a defensive back. Getting Reid at 18 and Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency for a year says that the 49ers are trying to fix the one hole they have in an otherwise elite defense.
The Draft continues tonight at 6:30 PM Eastern.
The first pick in the Draft was tackle Eric Fisher of Central Michigan who was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was one of 3 tackles chosen within the first 4 picks of the draft. The first 7 picks were all linemen, offensive or defensive. 17 linemen in all were picked in the first round.
Ball movers like QB's and wide receivers were not as well sought in this round. Not even a running back was taken, a first since 1963.
Only one quarterback was picked last night with EJ Manuel being the lucky QB out of Florida State. Manuel went 16th overall to the Buffalo Bills. Many were speculating that if the Bills were to pick a QB, that it would've been Ryan Nassib, quarterback from Syracuse who played for Doug Marrone, now head coach of the Bills. Other teams might look at Nassib a bit differently now seeing that his old coach wouldn't pick him.
Manuel being the one quarterback picked means Geno Smith is still on the board. Despite all the praise he got leading up the draft, Smith goes home unselected in the first round. Smith and plenty of other quarterbacks are still available, waiting for teams to possibly make a rush for them to start the 2nd round.
Also still on the board is LB Manti Te'o out of Notre Dame. The great people at ESPN thought that he would be a late first rounder and would even get picked up by the Baltimore Ravens. Instead, the teams pass him up and the Ravens select Matt Elam, a safety out of Florida, as the last pick in the first round.
The Minnesota Vikings were the busiest franchise last night managing three first round draft picks. First they got DT Sharrif Floyd out of Florida at 23 overall. Then two spots later, they traded for Seattle's pick to get Xavier Rhodes, a cornerback out of Florida State. To wrap up their day, they traded for New England's spot at 29 to get Cordarrelle Patterson, a wide receiver out of Tennessee.
As for my San Francisco 49ers, they traded with Dallas to get up to the 18th pick to select Eric Reid, a safety from LSU. Not knowing a thing about him, I liked that the 49ers are picking a defensive back. Getting Reid at 18 and Nnamdi Asomugha in free agency for a year says that the 49ers are trying to fix the one hole they have in an otherwise elite defense.
The Draft continues tonight at 6:30 PM Eastern.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Revis Gets Traded to Tampa Bay
Looks like there is a new island in the Caribbean.
The New York Jets finally traded Darelle Revis sending the corner to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In return, the Jets get the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft which starts this Thursday and also a conditional pick for next year.
As for Revis, he agrees to a six year $96 million contract with the Bucs in which none of it is guaranteed.
Not a bad move for the Bucs as they get perhaps the top corner in the game for basically just a 1st round pick. I say "perhaps" because Revis is coming off an ACL injury which might hamper his ability to some degree. If he pulls through barely affected, then Tampa will be one of the toughest teams to pass the ball on in the league.
The Jets, meanwhile, achieve their goal of slashing salaries by getting rid of Revis. They take a step back as they try to rebuild for the future. As for the immediate future, the Jets are definitely a sub .500 team once again, not that they weren't going to be that. Revis, though, was their best player and without him, they are far worse.
With him gone, Rex Ryan's future with the team seems in jeopardy as he's set up for a failed season from the start. This set up could get Rex fired by the end of 2013 with John Idzik, the new Jets GM, putting in a guy he wants.
The New York Jets finally traded Darelle Revis sending the corner to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In return, the Jets get the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft which starts this Thursday and also a conditional pick for next year.
As for Revis, he agrees to a six year $96 million contract with the Bucs in which none of it is guaranteed.
Not a bad move for the Bucs as they get perhaps the top corner in the game for basically just a 1st round pick. I say "perhaps" because Revis is coming off an ACL injury which might hamper his ability to some degree. If he pulls through barely affected, then Tampa will be one of the toughest teams to pass the ball on in the league.
The Jets, meanwhile, achieve their goal of slashing salaries by getting rid of Revis. They take a step back as they try to rebuild for the future. As for the immediate future, the Jets are definitely a sub .500 team once again, not that they weren't going to be that. Revis, though, was their best player and without him, they are far worse.
With him gone, Rex Ryan's future with the team seems in jeopardy as he's set up for a failed season from the start. This set up could get Rex fired by the end of 2013 with John Idzik, the new Jets GM, putting in a guy he wants.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Jeter Out Until After All Star Break
The Captain of the Yankees will be gone a bit longer than expected.
Derek Jeter apparently has a small crack in left ankle, the one that was surgically repaired over the off season. The Yankees were hoping that Jeter would return by opening day but that had to pushed back to May. Now it seems Jeter will have turned 39 years old by the time he returns from injury after the All Star Break.
The possibility that Derek Jeter will make a significant contribution to the Yankees this year is becoming less likely. The team or himself may have rushed things this Spring and, while both sides might not rush a comeback this time around, Jeter might just not have the same pep in his step. It might take him a while to get in rhythm and the injuries to his ankle might've affected his ability to play shortstop.
Many of the Yankees are certainly showing their age with the injuries with Jeter not being an exception.
Derek Jeter apparently has a small crack in left ankle, the one that was surgically repaired over the off season. The Yankees were hoping that Jeter would return by opening day but that had to pushed back to May. Now it seems Jeter will have turned 39 years old by the time he returns from injury after the All Star Break.
The possibility that Derek Jeter will make a significant contribution to the Yankees this year is becoming less likely. The team or himself may have rushed things this Spring and, while both sides might not rush a comeback this time around, Jeter might just not have the same pep in his step. It might take him a while to get in rhythm and the injuries to his ankle might've affected his ability to play shortstop.
Many of the Yankees are certainly showing their age with the injuries with Jeter not being an exception.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Kobe Out with Torn Achilles
Add injury to insult.
During last night's 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers lost the Black Mamba. In the 4th quarter, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles on his left leg. While he will have a MRI later today, the expected news from the team seems to be a "probable" or "complete tear." Kobe has been ruled out indefinitely with his season over.
Kobe's chances of a 6th ring just took a big hit. While he will likely try and mount a comeback, his return is obviously unknown with next season in jeopardy. Recovering from this injury can take a few months to a year. Bryant will be 35 if he manages a comeback sometime next season which will likely be a lost cause as well.
If you're the Lakers, this might be the best time to try and make the transition into the Dwight Howard era. Assuming, of course, Howard wants to stay in LA.
P.S. Look at that. Suddenly teams want to play the Lakers in the 1st round of the postseason.
During last night's 118-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers lost the Black Mamba. In the 4th quarter, Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles on his left leg. While he will have a MRI later today, the expected news from the team seems to be a "probable" or "complete tear." Kobe has been ruled out indefinitely with his season over.
Kobe's chances of a 6th ring just took a big hit. While he will likely try and mount a comeback, his return is obviously unknown with next season in jeopardy. Recovering from this injury can take a few months to a year. Bryant will be 35 if he manages a comeback sometime next season which will likely be a lost cause as well.
If you're the Lakers, this might be the best time to try and make the transition into the Dwight Howard era. Assuming, of course, Howard wants to stay in LA.
P.S. Look at that. Suddenly teams want to play the Lakers in the 1st round of the postseason.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Bulls End Knicks 13 Game Winning Streak
The Bulls end another significant winning streak in the NBA.
Last night, the Bulls beat the Knicks 118-111 in overtime. Nate Robinson scored 35 points off the bench while Jimmy Butler put up 22 points and 14 rebounds. Caremlo Anthony of the Knicks does get 36 points and 19 rebounds in the loss.
Chicago ended Miami's 27 game winning streak and now stops New York at 13. It's pretty impressive considering they did both of these things without Joakim Noah or Derrick Rose. Rose, of course, has been out all season because of an ACL tear and he simply doesn't want to come back. I mean, he has shaken confidence.
Chicago may not have the best chance of knocking off Miami but they still have to taken seriously in the postseason.
Last night, the Bulls beat the Knicks 118-111 in overtime. Nate Robinson scored 35 points off the bench while Jimmy Butler put up 22 points and 14 rebounds. Caremlo Anthony of the Knicks does get 36 points and 19 rebounds in the loss.
Chicago ended Miami's 27 game winning streak and now stops New York at 13. It's pretty impressive considering they did both of these things without Joakim Noah or Derrick Rose. Rose, of course, has been out all season because of an ACL tear and he simply doesn't want to come back. I mean, he has shaken confidence.
Chicago may not have the best chance of knocking off Miami but they still have to taken seriously in the postseason.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Auburn Football: Grade Fixes, Drugs, and Pay Scandals
Is there anything that Auburn football is not being charged with?
On top of allegedly bribing players to stay another year, changing grades so that athletes would be eligible to play, and committing recruiting infractions, Auburn is now being charged with having a drug problem and cover up scandal.
According to E:60 and ESPN the Magazine, Auburn had a drug epidemic during the 2010 season that crossed into 2011 when they played the BCS title game. The drug was called "Spice" which is a synthetic marijuana drug, and several players seemed to be addicted to it.
Drug tests for Spice, however, did not occur until after their BCS title win over Oregon. During the ensuing tests, a dozen players tested positive for Spice. Auburn then kept the tests confidential.
It is also being reported that up to a dozen more players, seniors, have used spice and gotten away with it.
This time in Auburn football seems to be one of the most scandalous ever reported in college sports. Who gets caught doing all of these things at once? The various infractions and wrongdoings are stunning for this short period of time. If any or all of these allegations prove to be true, I can see the school being dealt crippling infractions.
Of course, Auburn's fault lies partly in getting lost in the quest for a winning program. Colleges today want the best football programs, as well as basketball programs, so that they can make money. It's the endgame of every business and the NCAA and the universities are no different. The only thing that Auburn did wrong is break the rules that are there to mislead the populace (and more importantly the "student athletes") into thinking that college sports are not a business but for the betterment of student athletes and higher education.
Yes, Auburn should be punished because they've seemingly crossed ethical lines as well as broke the NCAA's rules. But to think that this university and a handful of others are the only ones committing these types of infractions is incorrect. Maybe not to the level of letting kids slide on drug use but I have no doubt that several universities bend or break the rules in effort to get a winning program.
On top of allegedly bribing players to stay another year, changing grades so that athletes would be eligible to play, and committing recruiting infractions, Auburn is now being charged with having a drug problem and cover up scandal.
According to E:60 and ESPN the Magazine, Auburn had a drug epidemic during the 2010 season that crossed into 2011 when they played the BCS title game. The drug was called "Spice" which is a synthetic marijuana drug, and several players seemed to be addicted to it.
Drug tests for Spice, however, did not occur until after their BCS title win over Oregon. During the ensuing tests, a dozen players tested positive for Spice. Auburn then kept the tests confidential.
It is also being reported that up to a dozen more players, seniors, have used spice and gotten away with it.
This time in Auburn football seems to be one of the most scandalous ever reported in college sports. Who gets caught doing all of these things at once? The various infractions and wrongdoings are stunning for this short period of time. If any or all of these allegations prove to be true, I can see the school being dealt crippling infractions.
Of course, Auburn's fault lies partly in getting lost in the quest for a winning program. Colleges today want the best football programs, as well as basketball programs, so that they can make money. It's the endgame of every business and the NCAA and the universities are no different. The only thing that Auburn did wrong is break the rules that are there to mislead the populace (and more importantly the "student athletes") into thinking that college sports are not a business but for the betterment of student athletes and higher education.
Yes, Auburn should be punished because they've seemingly crossed ethical lines as well as broke the NCAA's rules. But to think that this university and a handful of others are the only ones committing these types of infractions is incorrect. Maybe not to the level of letting kids slide on drug use but I have no doubt that several universities bend or break the rules in effort to get a winning program.
Monday, April 1, 2013
USC Hires Andy Enfield of FGCU
Looks like the Eagle has left.
After taking Florida Gulf Coast to their first ever NCAA Tournament and getting them to the Sweet 16, coach Andy Enfield is leaving for smoother pavement. USC has hired Enfield for what source told Andy Katz of ESPN.com is to be a six year deal. Sources also say that Enfield's salary will be well over a million dollars per year. Enfield was only with the Eagles for two years as head coach with it being his first head coaching job.
Right after Enfield arguably puts FGCU on the map, he leaves the small smudge for Los Angeles. It's a shame really that this kind of thing has to happen. After hearing that coaches Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens were staying at their respective small programs, I was expecting that Enfield would do the same. Instead, he leaves for somewhere else.
Now he might do fine at USC with the fact he might've not had that great of recruiting class to begin with at FGCU, but he also had lesser competition to face on a regular basis. He also didn't have to recruit players TO a city and not away from it. Don't see a lot of a schools from large cities with great basketball programs anymore.
P.S. I wonder if the chants at that pep rally have changed to "F**K YOU ENFIELD!!!"
After taking Florida Gulf Coast to their first ever NCAA Tournament and getting them to the Sweet 16, coach Andy Enfield is leaving for smoother pavement. USC has hired Enfield for what source told Andy Katz of ESPN.com is to be a six year deal. Sources also say that Enfield's salary will be well over a million dollars per year. Enfield was only with the Eagles for two years as head coach with it being his first head coaching job.
Right after Enfield arguably puts FGCU on the map, he leaves the small smudge for Los Angeles. It's a shame really that this kind of thing has to happen. After hearing that coaches Shaka Smart and Brad Stevens were staying at their respective small programs, I was expecting that Enfield would do the same. Instead, he leaves for somewhere else.
Now he might do fine at USC with the fact he might've not had that great of recruiting class to begin with at FGCU, but he also had lesser competition to face on a regular basis. He also didn't have to recruit players TO a city and not away from it. Don't see a lot of a schools from large cities with great basketball programs anymore.
P.S. I wonder if the chants at that pep rally have changed to "F**K YOU ENFIELD!!!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)